Queensland dinosaur family celebrates the G20

Queensland is well prepared to welcome the world’s leaders and thousands of dignitaries, one month ahead of the G20 Summit in Brisbane.

Premier Campbell Newman said the State was already feeling the benefits of hosting the Summit through international exposure and a cultural celebration that would draw the eyes of the world to Queensland.

“There will be four thousand delegates and three thousand media, as well as the world leaders, here in Queensland and that will create some exciting opportunities,” Mr Newman said.

“The immediate and direct economic benefits of the G20 are expected to be about $100 million for Brisbane alone.

“The boost for transport, shops, restaurants, cafes, hotels and venues has begun and will continue long-term with international events and conferences attracting spending and investment.”

Mr Newman said worldwide awareness of Brisbane had grown, spearheaded by interest in the G20.

“As just one example, in August and September alone, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre delivered 15,000 delegates and $39 million in economic benefits to Brisbane,” he said.

“Profits for last month (September) were up 70 per cent on September 2013.”

Mr Newman said the G20 Cultural Celebrations was giving Queenslanders an opportunity to participate, while drawing more attention to Brisbane.

Mr Newman visited Juggernaut art studio where a family of crochet-covered dinosaurs was in the final stages of construction.

“The crochet dinosaurs will be an evolving art installation with the public invited to help crochet the final pieces alongside professional artists after the dinosaurs are installed in Queens Park,” he said.

“Brisbane prides itself on all the different communities and groups which make up this city, each representing their own values and beliefs. This crochet project will weave together the city’s diversity in the form of a crochet Knot-o-saurus family.

“Volunteers have been sourced from a very wide range of groups including community support groups, primary and high school students, craft groups and community members from all over Queensland to make the 2,500 squares needed to outfit the giant aluminium dinosaurs.

“There is also a Queensland link, with these life-sized Sauropods taking the shape of dinosaurs recently discovery at Winton.”

Mr Newman said the surrounding area would also be yarn bombed, with statues and landmarks in Queens Park and George St rugged up in knitting as part of the spectacle.

Lead artist and dinosaur designer Cameron Searl said designing a family of aluminium dinosaurs was no mean feat.

“Five of the most highly skilled artists in Queensland have been working full-time for more than six weeks to build the Sauropod family,” Mr Searl said.

“Once built, the dinosaurs will be animated, active and beautiful in their own right. They will become a place for people to meet, be photographed with or to just hang out amongst.”

The G20 Cultural Celebrations run from October 24 – November 16, 2014 and all events are free.

The program features hundreds of free community events including live music programs, interactive lighting and projection displays across Brisbane city, pop-up dance performances, street performances, community BBQs and multicultural community events. Visit www.qld.gov.au/g20cultural

[ENDS] 15 October 2014

Media Contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000